Game.



' 'J. R. NIXON.

GAME. APPLIOATION FILED 11120.18, 1909. 960,190. Patented May 31, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES 1 l/VVEIVIOR f Z 5 W JAMES 17 N/XO/V ATTORNE Y8 GRAHAM ca.PnDw-ummlwum wAsimG'mN n C J. R. NIXON} GAME. APPLIOATION FILED DEC. 18,1909.

Patented May 31, 1910.

WITNESSES .wmww a m Afro/me rs J. R. NIXON.

GAME.

APPLICATION FILED D3018, 19o9.

Patented May 31, 1910.

3 SHEETS-BREE! 3.

WITNESSES 6 ATTORNEYS NDREW a, GRAHAM mw Pnmaqwqcmmais, WASHINGTON. n. a

UNITE STAT :1 TNT FFICE.

JAMES ROBERT NIXON, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, ASSIGNOR TO GEORGE L.

MARTIN, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

GAME.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES ROBERT NIXON, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of New Orleans, Orleans parish, State of Louisiana, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Games, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention is an improvement in games, and consists in certain novelconstructions and combinations of parts hereinafter described andclaimed.

The object of the invention is to provide an amusing and instructivegame wherein a field having hazards is provided, and a balanced lever,to one end of which is connected figures adapted to be moved into viewwhen the lever is rocked by the weight of other figures movable over thefield.

Referring to the drawings forming a part hereof: Figure 1 is aperspective view \of the improvement; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectionwith the parts in one position; Fig. 3 is a similar view with the partsin another position; Fig. 4 is a section on the line 44 of Fig. 2; Fig.5 is a section on the line 55 of the same figure; Fig.6 is a section onthe line 66 of the same figure; Fig. 7 is a section on the line 77 ofFig. 3; Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8 8 of the same figure; and Fig.9 is a side view partly in section of one of the figures.

The present embodiment of the invention comprises a casing 1substantially rectangular in cross section, which supports asubstantially circular field or track 2 having an upright marginalannular flange 3. Near one side the field is provided with a circularopening 4, and near the other side with a rectangular opening 5 overwhich is a shelter or hood 6. Both of the openings 4 and 5 communicatewith the casing, and the opening 4 is normally closed by a circularplate or disk 7 having a central boss 8. A post 9 is connected with thelower face of the boss, and the lower end of the post extends into ahollow standard 10 fixed to the bottom of the casing, and having inopposite sides slots 11 for a purpose to be described.

The disk 7, it will be observed, is slightly cupped, that is, theportion next to the boss is lower than the outer edge. A pin 12 extendsthrough the post in a direction transverse to the casing, and a secondpin 13 extends through the post at right angles to the first pin andbelow the same, and the upper Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 18, 1909.

Patented May 31, 1910.

Serial No. 523,749.

pin 12 is adapted to engage the top of the standard to limit the upwardmovement of the post.

The circular opening 4 is extended on 0pposite sides as shown 1n Fig. 1,and the extensions are closed by doors 14, the doors being hinged, as at15, to the plate forming the floor of the field, at the opposite endfrom the circular opening, and the free ends of the doors rest upon thedisk 7, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Inside the casing and between the standard 10 and the shelter 6 abracket 16 is secured, the ends of the bracket being turned upwardly, asat 17, and a pair of levers 18 and 19, is supported by the upturnedends, the levers having trunnions 20 which engage bearings in the ends.

The shelter 6 is provided with an open front, as shown, and may besuitably decorated, as shown in Fig. 1, and the front is partiallysubdivided into three divisions by extensions 22 from the top. Aplurality of figures (23) are supported in the front of the shelter bymeans of a bar (24), one of the figures being secured to the center ofthe bar, and the others to the ends, which are extended forwardly, as at25, for this purpose.

The inner section of a telescoping stem 26 projects rearwardly from thecenter of the bar and into the outer section 27 in which it is slidable.A bracket 28 is secured to the bottom of the casing and extends to therear end thereof, thence upwardly, as at 29, and forwardly, as at 30,beneath the top of the shelter, and downwardly, as at 31, to form abackground for the figures. Another bracket 32 projects downwardly fromthe portion 30 and between the portions 29 and 31, and the stem 26, 27is slidable in bearings in the bracket 32 and in the portion 31 of thebracket 28, and a coil spring 33 encircles the stem between a pin 34,arranged transversely of the stem, and the bracket portion 32. The rearend of the outer section of the stem is pivoted to a lever 35 whoseupperend is provided with a pin 36 which engages an opening 37 in theportion 30 of the bracket 28. The lower end of the lever is previdedwitha transverse pin 38 which isiadapted to engage a notch 39 in anam-shaped bar 40 which is pivoted at one end in a 'slot 41 in the casingwall, the said end extending through the slot spring 42, whose other endis secured to a lug 43 on the casing. The spring acts normally to throwthe free end of the bar upwardly whereby to retain the pin and the notchin engagement until released by the following mechanism. The saidmechanism comprises a weight 14: which is slidable 011 a vertical rod45. The weight is normally held in the position shown in Fig. 2 by a lug46 on a swinging bar 41-7 pivoted to the top of the shelter, as at 18,the lower end of the weight resting on the lug. When the weight isreleased it falls, striking the free end of the are-shaped bar, thusdepressing the bar and releasing the pin from the notch. The weight islifted by a vertical wire 19 which passes through an opening in theweight, and has at its lower end an angular portion 50 for engaging theweight. The weight is released by means of the lever 19. The end 51 ofthe lever adjacentto the swinging bar is weighted as shown, and isprovided with a transverse pin 52, which is adapted to engage theangular end 53 of the swinging lever 47 to swing the same and releasethe weight. The opposite end of the lever is forked, as at 5st, andengages the pin 13 on the post 9.

It will be evident that when the disk is depressed the lever will betilted and the pin 52 will engage the angular end 53 of the swinginglever 17, and swing the same rearwardly, thus releasing the weight. Whenthe weight falls, it strikes the free end of the arcshaped bar 4.0 andrelease the lever 35. The spring 33 immediately throws the stems 26 and27 forwardly, moving the figures out of the shelter. The outer sectionis stopped or checked by the engagement of the pin 34: with the portion31 of the bracket 28, but the inner section is moved still fartheroutwardly in the outer section by the weight of the figures.

The upper surface of the field is provided with a plurality of hazardswhich, as shown in Fig. 1, are arc-shaped and are concentric with theannular flange. The hazards consist of an inner and outer rib 55, 56,the outer rib 56, being interrupted at its center and intermediate itscenter and ends, while the inner is interrupted only at its center, andtransverse ribs 57 connect the ends of the inner and outer ribs at eachside of the central interruption. The said interruption is adjacent tothe central opening, and the free ends of the ribs converge toward theshelter. A plurality of figures are movable on the field, eachcomprising a casing 58 of suitable material shaped to represent ananimal, in the present instance a lion, and the under portion of eachfigure is provided with an opening 59, in which is received aball 60 ofheavy material, as for instance, steel.

The figures are represented as in the act of running at full speed withthe fore paws and hind paws outstretched (Fig. 9) and with tailextended, and the fore paws are separated laterally, as shown in Fig. 1,to prevent the figures tipping sidewise. The said figures are alsosuitably colored and are freely movable over the field rolling on theballs. The figures 23 are also suit-ably colored and are shaped torepresent two hunters and a negro guide, the central figure holding agun, the other white figure a camera and the negro a spear. The bar 2%upon which they are supported is provided at one end with a rearwardextension 61, which passes through an opening in the bracket portion 31and is provided with a transverse pin 62 for limiting the outwardmovement of the bar.

The lever 18 is provided to snap the disk sharply upward after themechanism has been tripped, whereby to upset the figures, to imitatetheir falling when shot. The end of the said lever adjacent to the pin38 is beveled as at 65, and when the lever 35 is released and is thrownforward by the spring, the pin 38 strikes the beveled end 65, and thelever is rocked to throw the disk sharply upward.

The object of the game is to so manipulate the field and easing, whichforms the game board, as to bring as many as possible of the animal ormovable figures onto the disk without depressing the same against theresistance of the operating mechanism, whereby to bring out the huntersor human figures. This number will vary, depending to a. considerabledegree on the skill of the player, since the less manipulation required,the lesser the liability of depressing the disk prematurely.

It will be evident that the hazards might be arranged in any desiredmanner, and that the form and configuration of the figures may be widelyvaried. The hinged doors 11 also add greatly to the hazards of the game,and they may be varied in size and arrangement. The animal figures maybe stamped out of very light weight tin, aluminum or paper, and they arelightly balanced on the balls to run freely over the field whileyetretaining their proper position.

The legs should have enough spread to properly balance the figure, andthey should be placed far enough down on the ball to preventtopheaviness. The extremities of the fore paws should also be turned upslightly, in order that they may act somewhat in the manner of sledrunners. The field may be of any suitable material and may beornamented, if desired.

The device is prepared for playing by pushing the figures into theshelter with the fingers, thus telescoping the stem and engaging the pinon the lever to which it is pivoted with the notch of the arc-shapedbar. The weight is then lifted by the wire and seated on the lug and thedevice is ready for the game.

The post 9 is a telescoping post, the inner section 9 being secured tothe disk 7, while the outer section 9 is slidable in the hollow standard10. The end of the lever 18 passes through a slot in the standard, andalso through a slot in the outer section 9", and the slots are longenough to permit ample play of the lever. The end of the lever 19 isslotted as shown in Fig. 3 and engages the pin 13 which passes throughthe outer section 9. This construction permits the disk to be depressedby the weight of the figures, to trip the operating mechanism for thehuman figures, and permits the lever 18 to throw up the disk to upsetthe figures without interference from the other mechanism.

I claim:

1. A game comprising a field having near one edge a circular opening, aplurality of hazards around the opening, a depressible disk normallyclosing the opening, a shelter atthe opposite edge having an open fronttoward the opening, a plurality of figures in the shelter, a bar towhich the figures are secured, a telescoping stem connected with the barand slidable in bearings in the shelter, a spring normally acting tomove the bar out of the shelter, a lever to which the rear end of thestem is pivoted, an arc- -shaped bar pivoted by one end and having anotch, a pin on the lever for engaging the notch to hold the bar towhich the figures are secured in the shelter, a vertically slidableweight for engaging the free end of the are shaped bar to release thepin, a lever pivoted at one end and having a lug upon which the weightseats to retain it in elevated position, said lever having an angularportion at its lower end, a lever pivoted by its center below the field,and having a pin for engaging and moving the angular end of the swinginglever to-release the weight, a post to which the disk closing thecentral opening is secured, and an engagement between the post and theother end of the lever for moving said lever.

2. A game comprising a field having an opening near one edge, and ashelter near the opposite edge having an open front toward the opening,hazards around the opening, a plurality of figures movable into and outof the shelter, a plate normally closing the opening in the field, aplurality of movable figures on the field for engaging the platetodepress the same, and a connection between the plate and the figuresin the shelter for moving said figures into and out of the shelter whenthe plate is depressed by the movable figures, said means comprising arocking lever having one end connected to the plate, a spring actingnormally to move the figures out of the shelter, a catch for restrainingthe operation of the spring, a vertically movable weight for releasingthe catch, means for lifting the weight, a swinging lever having a notchfor engaging the weight to retain it in elevated position, and meanswhereby the rocking of the rocking lever will move the swinging lever torelease the weight.

3. A game comprising a field having an opening near one edge, and ashelter near the opposite edge having an open front toward the opening,hazards around the opening, a plurality of figures movable into and outof the shelter, a plate normally closing the opening in the field, aplurality of movable figures on the field for engaging the late todepress the same, and a connectlon between the plate and the figures inthe shelter for moving said figures into and out of the shelter when theplate is depressed by the movable figures, said means comprising arocking lever having one end connected with the plate, a spring actingnormally to move the figures out of the shelter, means for restrainingthe said move ment, a vertically movable weight for releasing therestraining means, means for lifting the weight, means for retaining itin elevated position, and means whereby the rocking of the lever willrelease the retaining means.

4:- A game comprising a field having an opening near one edge, and ashelter near the opposite edge having an open front toward the opening,hazards around the opening, a plurality of figures movable into and outof the shelter, a plate normally closing the opening in the field, aplurality of movable figures on the field for engaging the plate todepress the same, and a connection between the plate and the figures inthe shelter for moving said figures into and out of the shelter when theplate is depressed by the movable figures, said means comprising arocking lever having one end connected to the plate, a spring actingnormally to move the figures out of the shelter, means for restrainingthe action of the spring, and means whereby the rocking of the leverwill release the restraining means.

5. A game comprising a field having an opening near one edge, and ashelter near the opposite edge having an open front toward the opening,hazards around the opening, a plurality of figures movable into and outof the shelter, a late normally closing the opening in the fieltl, aplurality of movable figures on the field, and a connection between theplate and the figures in the shelter for moving said figures into andout, of the shelter when the plate is depressed by the movable figures.

6. A game comprising a field having an opening near one edge, and ashelter near the opposite edge having an open front toward the opening,hazards around the opening, a plurality of figures movable into and outof the shelter, a plate normally closing the opening in the field, aplurality of movable figures on the field, a connection between theplate and the figures in the shelter for moving said figures into andout of the shelter when the plate is depressed by the movable figures,and means operated by the figure, moving means for moving the plateupward.

7. A game comprising a field having an opening near one edge, and ashelter near the opposite edge having an open front toward the opening,hazards around the opening, a plurality of figures movable into and outof the shelter, a plate normally closing the opening in the field, aplurality of movable figures on the field for engaging the plate todepress the same, and a connection between the plate and the figures inthe shelter for moving said figures into and out of the shelter when theplate is depressed by the movable figures, said means comprising arocking lever having one end connected to the plate, a spring aotinnormally to move the figures out of the she ter, means for restrainingthe action of the spring, and means whereby the rocking of the leverwill release the restraining means, and means operated by the movementof the spring for snapping the said plate upward for the purposespecified.

8. In a device of the character specified, a field, a shelter thereon,figures in the shelter, a spring acting normally to move the saidfigures outof the shelter, means for restraining the operation of thespring, a depressible plate, means whereby the depression of the platewill release the restraining means, figures movable on the field fordepressing the plate, and means operated by the spring for snapping saidplate upward for the purpose specified.

JAMES ROBERT NIXON. lVitnesses:

WVILLIAM B. MoCUroHoN, BERNARD SBIsA.

